Automatic work marking means for predetermined torque release wrench



A. O. HINES ETAL Nov. 21, 1961 3,009,371 AUTOMATIC WORK MARKING MEANS FOR PREDETERMINED TORQUE RELEASE WRENCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 11, 1960 o w/WAA/ AU'OENE y x Ma 2% NOV. 1961 A o. HINES ET AL 3,009,371

AUTOMATIC WORK MARKING MEANS FOR PREDETERMINED TORQUE RELEASE WRENCH Filed May 11, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J52? 4/ g l 1\ x 7; LEE W [48 l l i k /4O 4/ 7; 74 m 76 69 60 61 2 f JI/Vk/ENT'OE5 I .QLbEET 0H1 N55 @QLE'CifiOLUMJQ/V @TO Ezvsy Nov :21, 1961 A. o. HINES ETAL 3,009,371 AUTOMATIC WORK MARKING MEANS FOR PREDETERMINED TORQUE RELEASE WRENCH Filed May 11, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 17v 1/ ENTOE s 44/. @587 0H1 NES DALE 7%0 wMQ/v flJTOEA/Ey 1961 A. o. HINES ET AL 3,009,371

AUTOMATIC WORK MARKING MEANS FOR PREDETERMINED TORQUE RELEAS Filed May 11, 1960 E WRENCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 7. L/ENTOES I MEET OH/NE' Z2 94 E6750 wzwnzv PM C w-+ Afford L v United States Patent 3,009,371 AUTOMATIC WORK MARKING MEANS FOR PRE- DETERMINED TORQUE RELEASE WRENCH Albert 0. Hines, 2730 S. Kitley Ave., and Dale E. Bowman, 142 S. Traub Ave., both of Indianapolis, Ind. Filed May 11, 1960, Ser. No. 28,383 Claims. (CI. 81-53) This invention relates to a preset torque release wrench and particularly it relates to a marking attachment adapted for use in combination with a preset torque release wrench.

The present invention is an improvement over the Dunham Patent 2,901,934 patented September 1, 1959. In the aforementioned patent a combined wrench and marking device are disclosed. The wrench is of a type known to the trade simply as a torque wrench which is adapted to tighten a bolt to a certain tension with the application of a predetermined torque. Throughout the following description the terms torque wrench will mean a wrench having a predetermined (or preset) torque release. The patent discloses a marking device which includes a wick and an ink reservoir, the wick engaging the bolt head to mark the same whenever the torque wrench is applied over the head of the bolt. Thus each bolt, to which the torque wrench is applied, is suitably marked so that inspectors are assured that the torque wrench has been applied. While it is thus apparent that the torque wrench has been applied to the bolt, there is no assurance that the operator has actually applied the exact pounds of torque required for the particular bolt since the bolt head could conceivably be marked merely by the use of the wrench without any application of torque whatsoever. It is a prime object of this invention, therefore, to provide an improved torque wrench and marking device which will suitably mark the head of a bolt to which the wrench has been applied only when the wrench has been applied at the predetermined torque necessary for the particular bolt.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved torque wrench and marking device wherein the marking device is effective to positively mark the bolt when the torque Wrench has been applied at a predetermined torque.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a combined torque wrench and marking device including a fluid cylinder and a nozzle from which a marking compound is discharged onto the head of a bolt at the precise moment when the torque Wrench tightens a bolt to a predetermined torque.

A still further object is the provision of an improved marking device particularly adapted to a torque wrench having an indicating means effective to denote when the operator has applied a predetermined torque, the marking device cooperating with the said indicating means to eifectively and positively mark the head of the bolt at the precise time at which the indicating means is actuated.

These and further objects will become more readily apparent from a reading of the specification when examined in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a combined torque wrench and marking device;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the Wrench and marking device shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing the work engaging body of a torque wrench including portions of the same broken away and in secsection to illustrate a portion of a marking device;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1 with the wrench removed from the housing of a marking device;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line 77 of FIGURE 2 showing portions of a marking device without the torque wrench;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective exploded view of a portion of a marking device and associated parts;

FIGURE 8a is a perspective exploded view of another portion of a marking device and associated parts;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged vertical section of a tripping or release mechanism of a preset torque release wrench which is described in detail in the aforementioned patent;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 1010 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 1111 of FIGURE 9 showing a position of a release mechanism; and

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 11 showing another position of a release mechanism.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, a combined preset torque release wrench and marking device is generally designated by the reference character 10. The preset torque release Wrench is described in a general way and is substantially identical to the torque wrench shown in the P. A. Sturtevant Patent 2,385,591 patented September 25, 1945. The marking device described is particularly adaptable to the wrench disclosed in the aforementioned patent but is not necessarily limited for use with the type of wrench indicated. The wrench and marking device 10 comprises a work engaging body 11 having an extension 12 which is provided at its lower end with a work engaging member or socket head 13 provided with a bolt head socket 14 which is adapted to be utilized with bolts 94 wherever it is desired that such bolts are to be tightened to a certain predetermined torque. l

The wrench and marking device 10 also comprises an elongated spring bar 15 which has a head 16 suitably connected thereto. A dial 17 is suitably connected to the head 16 and a pointer 18 is suitably supported on the body 11 coextensive in length with the spring bar 15. A finger 19 is adjustably connected to the pointer 18 by means of an adjusting screw 20. A sleeve extension 21 projects longitudinally of the head 16 and has connected thereto a handle 22 which in the present case is provided with a collar 23 and a handle extension 24. The conventional torque wrench does not include the extension 24 or the collar 23, but when the device is utilized in connection with the marking device it is desirable to provide the extension 24 since the handle 22 is connected with suitable actuating elements, as will presently appear, necessary to the operation of the marking device. The collar 23 provides a stop for the operators hand so that at all times he grasps the extension 24 rather than the handle 22.

The dial 17 includes an arcuate strip 25 spaced rearwardly with respect to a vertical flange 26 to provide a slot 26'. The pointer 18 is provided with a pointed end 27 extending through the slot 26 adjacent to calibration readings 28. A trigger 29, as shown in FIGURE 2, projects upwardly and is adapted to be engaged by the finger 19 during use of the torque wrench 10.

A marking mechanism is designated by the reference character 30 and comprises a housing 31. The housing 31 includes a longitudinally extending bore 32 open at its upper end as indicated at 33. The housing further includes a transversely extending bore 34 which communicates with a slot 34. As best shown in FIGURE 5, the bore 34 includes a spring 36 which is seated on an adjustable screw 37. Another adjusting screw 38 is provided at the opposite end of the bore 34 in the housing 31. A slidable member 35 is slidingly movable within the bore 34, the amount of said movement being determined by the adjustable screw devices 37 and 38. The member 35 is also provided with a recess 39. A finger 40 is supported within a recess 40 on the member 35, the said finger 40 being suitably secured by means of a set screw 41. The member 35 is adapted to be moved by means of an arm 42 which, as shown in FIGURE 1, is connected to the handle 22 by means of screws 43.

The housing 31, as best shown in FIGURE 8, is provided with a bore 43' in which an oscillatory member 44 is positioned. The housing 31 also includes a small bore 44 coaxial with the bore 43'. The oscillatory member 44 is provided, as best shown in FIGURES and 8, with a pin 45. The oscillatory member 44 also includes an opening 46 formed in a cutout portion 47. A central bore 48 is provided on the oscillatory member 44. The oscillatory member 44 is positioned immediately adjacent a pawl carrying member 49 having a bore 50. The pawl carrying member 49 is also provided with circumferentially spaced openings 51 and the oscillatory member 44- is provided with circumferentially spaced openings 52 which register with the openings 51. Pins 53 engage the openings 51 and 52. The pawl carrying member 49 also includes a cutout to provide a shoulder 54. A pawl 55 is rotatable on a pin 56 which is supported in a bore 57, the said pawl 55 normally having its front portion urged downwardly by means of a spring 58 suitably supported within a socket 59.

A sleeve 60 is positioned within the bore 44', as shown in FIGURE 6. The sleeve 60 is provided with a smaller longitudinally extending bore 61 and with a larger coaxial bore 62. The sleeve 60 is also provided at its end with a cutout 63 adjacent the bore 62. The cutout 63 provides a shoulder 64 having a bore 64' which contains a spring 65. A pin 66 is supported within an opening 66' and rotatably supports a pawl 67 within the cutout portion 63.

As again shown in FIGURES 6 and 8, a threaded sleeve is designated at 68 and includes an internally threaded bore 69. One end of the sleeve 60 is provided with outer circumferentially extending teeth 70. As best shown in FIGURE 7, the housing 31 is also provided with a cavity 71 in which the pawl 67 is pivoted.

The housing 31 also is provided with an extension 72 having an elongated fiuid cylinder 73. A piston 74 is positioned within the cylinder 73 for sliding movement and includes a threaded rod 75. The threaded rod 75 is in engagement with the threaded bore 69 and projects outwardly of the housing through the bore 43 as shown. The sleeve 60 is held against rotation by means of a screw 76 which projects through a bore 79 in the housing 31 and engages a threaded opening 78 in the sleeve 60.

As best shown in FIGURE 4, end plates 80 and 81 are secured by means of screw 82 to the end of the housing 31. The plates 80 and 81 are suitably apertured to form openings 83 and 84 respectively, providing clearance for the threaded rod 75 and the sleeve extension 21. A slot 85 communicates with the slot 34 to provide for lateral movement of the arm 42.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, a conduit 86 communicates with the fluid cylinder 73 and is supported by means of a clamp 87 on the body 11. The conduit 86 projects into a bore 88 and communicates with a passage 89 on the extension 12. The passage 89 communicates with a vertical chamber 90 which, in turn, communicates with a passage 91 communicating with a nozzle 92. The nozzle 92 is provided with a discharge passage 93 which permits the discharge of fluid into the socket 14, as will be described.

The operation of the torque wrench is concisely described in the aforementioned Sturtevant patent and only a brief description is believed to be necessary. The operation, therefore, of this type of torque wrench is well known. The head 16, as shown in FIGURES 9 through 11, is seated in clamped relation within the bore 32 of the housing 31. The head 16 is provided at its rear end with a bore in which a sleeve extension 101 is secured, the said extension 101 projecting into a bore 102 of the handle 22, and also being suitably rigidly connected to said handle 22. The extension also is provided with opposed bifurcated slots 103 at its rear end. A release bar 104 is pivoted on a pin 105 supported in bores 106 of the handle 22 and spacers 107 suitably support the bar 104 in position. The bar 104 is also mounted in pivotal relation on the extension 101 by means of a pin 108. The forward end of the bar is provided with a face 109 having an arcuate recess 110. The recess 110 is adapted to be engaged by a trip member 111 slidably disposed in a bore 112 in a sleeve 113 slidable in a bore 114. A trigger rod 115 is provided with a head 54 which is urged against the recess by means of a spring 116 captive in the bore 112.

A spring 117 within the bore 114 is held captive be tween the sleeve 113 and a sleeve 118 positioned at one end of the bore 114. The head 16 is provided with a vertical bore 119 as shown in FIGURES 9 through 12. A cylindrical housing 120 within the bore 119 includes a slot 121 in which a plate 122 may move vertically. The plate 122 is urged upwardly by means of a spring 123 to engage a cam face 124 on the trigger 29 which is pivoted by means of a pin 125. The trigger is also pro vided with an opening 126 to receive the trigger rod 115. As indicated above, it is of course desired to individually mark each bolt head 94 which may be suitably connected to a cylinder head 95, as indicated in FIGURE 1, to the block of a conventional internal combustion engine. It is of course very important that each of the bolts is tightened at a predetermined torque setting of the wrench so that the proper torque is applied. The inspection department of a plant does not know the exact torque which has been applied to each particular screw unless in each instance the inspector again applies a torque wrench with the proper setting. This of course would be a time consuming operation which is eliminated by the present invention. By means of the marking device the fluid, which can consist of paint, heavy ink, etc., is positively discharged through the nozzle 92 onto the head of the bolt every time the torque wrench is brought up to the proper torque in its application to the head of the bolt.

The operator, in the operation, sets the trigger finger 19 to the desired position to achieve tightening of a nut or bolt to the proper torque. As the nut or bolt 94 is engaged by the Wrench and the operator applies pressure the spring 15 will, of course, deflect until the trigger 29 is engaged by the finger 19, whereupon the trigger 29 is rotated on the pin 125 whereupon the cam face 124 will move the plate 120 downwardly. Previous to this downward movement the plate 120 is as shown in FIGURES 9, 10 and 11. As the plate 120 moves downwardly the opening 126 moves into registry to receive the trigger rod 115 whereupon the rod is moved through the opening 126. This permits the sleeve 113 and the trip member 111 to move to the left in FIGURE 12 whereupon the recess 110 is disengaged from the trip member 11 and pivots about the pin 108. Thus the rigid connection between the release bar 104 and the extension 101 is broken and force being applied by the handle 22 is utilized to swing the member 104 against the inner bore surface 127 of the handle and in efiect provide a shock or hammer blow to the handle 22 which is immediately felt by the operator. He thus knows that the proper torque has been achieved. By returning the handle 22 to its original position or in other words by relieving pressure on the part of the operator the mechanism heretofore described immediately automatically resets for the next succeeding action. The pivotal action of the handle or movement thereof during the breaking of the solid connection causes the arm 42 to be moved to the right as viewed in FIGURE 5. The arm 42 engages a shoulder 39' of the slidable member 35 within the recess 39 and moves the member 35 against the action of the spring 36. This movement causes the finger 40 to also be moved to the right whereupon the oscillatory member 44 is moved in a counter clockwise direction. By virtue of the connection of the pins 53 to the pawl actuator 49 the pawl actuator 49 also moves in a counterclockwise direction and the pawl 55 engages the teeth 70 thus moving the threaded sleeve 68 also in a counterclockwise direction. The movement of the sleeve 68 in turn causes the piston 74 to move in a direction whereupon a certain small amount of fluid within the fluid chamber 73 is discharged from the said chamber to the conduit 86. The piston 74 and rod 75 are suitably supported to prevent rotation so that upon rotation of the sleeve 68 longitudinal movement of the piston 74 takes place. As shown in FIGURE 7, the pawl 67 engages the teeth 70 to prevent rotation of the sleeve 60 in an opposite direction. In other words the pawl 67 functions as a holding pawl.

As a small quantity or dab of fluid is expelled from the cylinder 73 it is discharged from the conduit 86 into the bores 89, chamber 90, passage 91 and outwardly from the nozzle 92 through the passage 93. The socket 14 is in engagement with the head of the bolt and the dab of fluid which is discharged from the nozzle 92 is discharged on the head of the bolt precisely at the time that the proper torque has been applied.

The fluid passages are, like a grease gun, filled with a suitable fluid constantly and as the piston 74 moves, a small dab is discharged from the nozzle 92. The piston moves very slightly forwardly each time and need not be refilled for long periods of time.

Thus it is obvious that the marking device is effective to indicate that proper torque has been applied. The fluid cylinder 73 may be suitably refilled after all the fluid is discharged and prior to the refilling the locking pawl 67 is placed in an unlocked position by means of the insertion of a tool (not shown) through a bore 96 provided in the housing 31, as shown in FIGURE 7. Then by the insertion of a screw driver into a slot 97 provided in the end of the rod 75, as shown in FIGURE 8, the piston 74 can be screwed into a retracted position. A suitable opening for refilling the cylinder is provided on the same but is not shown.

Thus is is apparent that the objects of the invention have been fully achieved. The marking device may be utilized in cooperation with any type of torque wrench where a signal or indicating device indicates that the proper torque has been applied so that the paint, marking compound, or ink, which is utilized will be deposited on each bolt head at the precise moment that the correct torque is applied. Thus the human element and the possibility of mistake is eliminated since the device automatically applies marking on proper torque application. The inspection department thus is assured that the bolts have been properly tightened.

It must be understood that a preferred embodiment has been shown and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as disclosed or from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a preset torque release wrench having a body including a socket adapted to engage a fastener for tightening the same, and a handle connected to said body, said handle being pivotally movable relative to said body when said fastener is tightened to a predetermined torque; a marking device comprising a housing supported on said wrench adjacent said handle, a fluid cylinder connected to said housing, nozzle means on said body communicating with said socket, a conduit providing communication of said cylinder with said nozzle, a piston movably positioned within said cylinder, a threaded member connected to said piston and projecting within said housing, a rotatable member supported within said housing, said rotatable member having a threaded bore engaged by said threaded member, said rotatable member including a plurality of ratchet teeth, a wheel positioned to oscillate relative to said rotatable member, a pawl on said wheel engaging said ratchet teeth to rotate said rotatable member during oscillation of said wheel, an oscillatable member on said housing adapted to oscillate said wheel, and an arm connected to said handle and adapted to engage said oscillatable member to move the same during pivotal movement of said handle, whereby said threaded member moves said piston and a marking compound is forced from said cylinder and nozzle against a fastener in said socket to indicate that the proper tightening torque has been applied.

2. In a preset torque release wrench having a body including a socket adapted to engage a fastener for tightening the same, and a handle connected to said body, said handle being movable relative to said body when said fastener is tightened to a predetermined torque; a marking device comprising a housing supported on said wrench adjacent said handle, a fluid cylinder connected to said housing, ejection means on said body communicating with said socket, a conduit providing communication of said cylinder with said nozzle, a piston movably positioned within said cylinder, a threaded member connected to said piston and projecting within said housing, a rotatable member supported Within said housing, said rotatable member having a threaded bore engaged by said threaded member, said rotatable member including a plurality of ratchet teeth, an actuating member positioned to oscillate relative to said rotatable member, a pawl on said rotatable member engaging said ratchet teeth to rotate said rotatable member during oscillation of said actuating member, an oscillatable member on said housing adapted to oscillate said actuating member, and an arm associated with said handle and adapted to engage said oscillatable member to move the same during movement of said handle, whereby said threaded member moves said piston and a marking compound is forced from said cylinder and nozzle against a fastener in saidsocket to indicate that the proper tightening torque has been applied.

3. In a preset torque release wrench having a body including a socket adapted to engage a fastener for tightening the same, and a handle connected to said body, said handle being pivotally movable relative to said body when said fastener is tightened to a predetermined torque; a marking device comprising a housing supported on said wrench adjacent said handle, a fluid cylinder connected to said housing, ejection means on said body communicating with said socket, a conduit providing communication of said cylinder with said nozzle, a piston movably positioned within said cylinder, a threaded member connected to said piston and projecting within said housing, a rotatable member supported within said housing, said rotatable member having a threaded bore engaged by said threaded member, an oscillatable member-on said housing adapted to rotate said rotatable member, and an arm connected to said handle and adapted to engage said oscillatable member to move the same during pivotal movement of said handle, whereby said threaded member moves said piston and a marking compound is forced from said cylinder and nozzle against a fastener in said socket to indicate that the proper tightening torque has been applied.

4. In a preset torque release wrench having a body including a socket adapted to engage a fastener for tightening the same, and a handle connected to said body, said handle being movable relative to said body when said fastener is tightened to a predetermined torque; a marking device comprising a housing supported on said wrench adjacent said handle, a fluid cylinder connected to said housing, ejection means on said body communicating with said socket, a nozzle within said socket, a conduit providing communication of said cylinder with said nozzle, a piston movably positioned Within said cylinder, and means on said housing for moving said piston in said cylinder in response to movement of said handle whereby a marking compound is ejected from said nozzle to said fastener to indicate that proper tightening torque has been applied.

5. In a preset torque release wrench having a body including a socket engageable with a fastener for tightening the same to a predetermined torque, and means connected to said body operable to indicate when the preset torque applied; a marking device comprising an ejector means communicating with said socket, a fluid cylinder communicating with said ejector means, a piston positioned for sliding movement within said fluid cylinder and during movement in one direction ejecting a marking compound from said cylinder to and from said nozzle, and means connected to said indicating means and responsive thereto for moving said piston whereby said ejector means deposits marking compound on said fastener when said torque is reached.

6. In a preset torque release wrench having a body including a socket engageable with a fastener for tightening the same to a predetermined torque, and means connected to said body operable to indicate when the preset torque is applied, a marking device comprising an ejector means communicating with said socket, and means connected to indicating means and responsive thereto for actuating said ejector means whereby said ejector means deposits marking compound on said fastener when said torque is reached.

7. In a preset torque release wrench having a body including a member engageable with a fastener for tightening the same to a predetermined torque, and means associated with said body operable to indicate when the preset torque is applied; a marking device associated with said member, an ejector means on said member adapted to engage said fastener a fluid cylinder communicating with said ejector means, a piston positioned for sliding movement within said fluid cylinder and during move ment in one direction being adapted to eject a marking compound from said nozzle, and means connected to said indicating means and responsive thereto for actuating said marking device whereby said marking device places a mark on said fastener when said torque is reached.

8. A preset torque release wrench having a connectible member connectible to a threaded fastener for tightening the same to a predetermined torque, an indicating member connected to said connectible member, said indicating member being operable to indicate when said torque is applied, a marking member connected to said connectible member, and means connecting said indicating member with said marking member to actuate the same for marking a fastener when said torque is applied.

9. A preset torque release wrench having a connectible member connectible to a threaded fastener for tightening the same to a predetermined torque, a movable indicating member connected to said connectible member, said indicating member being operable to indicate when said torque is applied, a marking member connected to said connectible member, and means connecting said indicating member with said marking member, said means being responsive to movement of said indicating member to actuate the marking member for marking a fastener when said torque is applied.

10. The combination with a preset torque release wrench having a member connectible to a threaded fastener for tightening the same at predetermined torque; of a marking device connected to said member, said marking device including means responsive upon the application of a predetermined torque for placing a mark on said fastener.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

